BELLOWS FALLS — The Bellows Falls Woman's Club concluded its club year on May 14 with a luncheon and meeting.
Present was Midge Tucker, president of the General Federation of Women's Clubs of Vermont. She spoke of her key project, Prevent Child Abuse Vermont, which all federated Vermont women's clubs have been supporting. She also spoke of her desire to be connected to all the clubs through good, mutual communication.
Club President Judy Boynton recapped the year's activities, programs, and projects. The club held successful fundraisers in the form of a yard sale, food sale, box lunch social, and meeting raffles.
Among the many organizations that the club supported monetarily were the Visiting Nurse Alliance and Hospice of Vermont and New Hampshire, Parks Place, Rockingham Christmas Fund, BF Area Senior Center, Rockingham Free Public Library, and the Fall Mountain Food Shelf, which was Boynton's President's Project for the year.
In-kind donations were made to the Greater Falls Warming Shelter, Our Place Drop-in Center, and the Rockingham Christmas Party. The club has sponsored an arts festival at Bellows Falls Union High School for many years, showcasing the student artists, the family and consumer science students, and the chorus and band students.
Later this month, a $1,000 scholarship will be presented to a graduating student entering a health care-related field of study.
The club refurbished the shrubs it previously planted at the Rockingham Recreation Center and it plans to participate in landscaping at the BF Middle School, all part of the club's Community Service Projects.
At the state federation level, the club contributed to the Barbara Jean Barker scholarship program, designed to help Vermont women who have lost their principal means of support and are seeking training/education to become self-supporting.
Several club members were recognized for levels of membership. Fourteen women were given pins for 5-10 years of club membership. Three women received a 10 year pin. Fifteen women received a picture frame bearing the GFWC logo, for more than 15 years of membership. Three members were recognized for more than 25 years of membership.
Jeanne Semonite was honored for her 50 years of club membership.
The executive board has begun meeting to plan the next club year. The club meets monthly, September-May. The local club is a member of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, an international women's organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service.